Ignored in Rafah Monday, August 6, 2001

Sitting on the roadside next to his tent, Abu libda was drinking tea with
few others who have just turned refugees again. Does the world know that
we are oppressed? Does the world know who is the real terrorist? asked
Mr. Abu Libda, now, he lost his house and left on a sidewalk with an open
tent.

Abu Lidah explained how he has saved money for 15 years to buy the house,
which he had been renting. He bought the house from the landlord in August
2000 after 15 years of paying rent. The house was located on the Egyptian
border and Rafah City. He said, They did not leave me enough time to know
what it is like to live in one's own home.

The area of Rafah has always experienced trouble due to close proximity
with Jewish settlements and army posts. Even before the Intifadah, we never
knew peace. Everytime our children play near the fence, soldiers used to
fire at them and threatened to kill the children. Sometimes, they used
to fire teargas bombs and shout on the microphone to scare the children
away. Said Abu Libdah, father of seven children.

Along with Abu Lidah, many people explained how their lives have changed
dramatically since Intifadah started. They feel betrayed by the international
community and the unjust world system. The recently turned refugees can
not understand why the UN or any international organization do not send
Multi-National Observing Forces
to their town.

Another refugee sitting next to Abu Libdah said, I do not know why the
Israeli soldier comes here. We live here. This is my home. The soldier
should go back to where ever he comes from. Then, we won't have problems.

The following day (Aug. 4th.) after meeting Mr. Abu Libdah and his friends,
Israeli Helicopters fired missiles at a Police station in Rafah City. The
bombed site is only about 300 meters away from Abu Lidah's tent.

A Palestinian from Rfah looking at the leftover of once his home. Israeli tanks plowed his house at 1:00AM on July 10th 2001.

A recently turned refugee in Rafah, behind him a message saying: "to
continue the Intifadah and resistande."
July 2001, Rafah, Gaza Strip

Palestinian kids in Rafah cheered, whistled and clapped when they heard an angry adult
outside his tent shouting, "We'll avenge with more suicide bombs."
July 2001 Gaza Strip

A message stuck on a tent in Rafah City says, "To the low-life terrorist
Sharon. You demolished our homes in the seventies. And today you're destroying
them again. We've gotten used to tents and expulsion. We've accepted challenge.
The days between us are coming.

A resident of Rafah, "Patience itself has become bored with us."
July 2001, Rafah, Gaza Strip

3 times a refugee in her life. Originally from Jaffa, Fatima sits sadly
in her tent in Rafah, south of Gaza Strip.
July 2001